Rookie Wide Receiver Generating Buzz in Jets Camp
The New York Jets may have found a hidden gem in rookie wide receiver Arian Smith. The early signs out of Training Camp suggest he’s not just flashing — he’s surging toward a legitimate WR2 type role opposite Garrett Wilson.
Smith, a Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, entered camp with little fanfare but has quickly turned heads with his explosive speed, crisp route-running, and ability to stretch the field vertically. Coaches have praised his work ethic and football IQ, noting how quickly he’s picked up the playbook and earned reps with the first-team offense.
Several media members in attendance for Jets practices echo the same sentiments. Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic even mentioned how the coaching staff gave Smith “strobe goggles” to help him mitigate the focus drops that plagued him in college.
The Jets have Arian Smith wearing strobe goggles to work on his focus when catching passes — the main issue, he said, on the 10 drops he had last year at Georgia.
That, and other methods, have been working so far in camp: He’s been a standout.
But Smith hears the noise too,… pic.twitter.com/vma8FhbOKt
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 8, 2025
With the Jets offense undergoing a transformation under new OC Marcus Brady, the opportunity is ripe for a dynamic WR2 to emerge. Smith’s ability to win deep and create separation complements Wilson’s elite short-to-intermediate game, giving QB Justin Fields a potentially lethal duo to work with.
Veteran options like Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds offer experience, but neither has shown the consistent playmaking upside Smith has flashed in camp. If the rookie continues to build chemistry with Fields and proves reliable in contested catch situations, he could lock down the WR2 spot before preseason ends.
For fantasy managers and Jets fans alike, Arian Smith is quickly becoming a name to watch. If his camp momentum translates to game-day production, New York may have landed one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft — and a key piece in their offensive resurgence.
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